The Thoughts of Snee

"All books are divine."

---Jorge Luis Borges

Who’s your favorite author?

J.K. Rowling since she wrote the first book series I loved from start to finish. Harry Potter were the only books I could sink my teeth into as a teenager and it was rare for me to find something I liked. I was devastated when my dad lost my copy of The Philosopher’s Stone, thank goodness I found a suitable replacement.

Which book or books have most informed you as a writer?

J.K. Rowling has probably been a good influence on me but beyond her I’m not sure. I’ve more stumbled my way along the writing path as a way to share my ideas and imagination. It may not be the best way to learn but it started me along this strange adventure.

When did you realize you wanted to write?

When I was a teenager and sharing fanfiction with a once good friend of mine. It was fun and, since I’m from a small town, it kept me out of trouble. I loved how I could engage people when I told them stories. I had to start writing them down or else I would get lost on what had happened. It was also entertaining to read them after. Now it’s kind of embarrassing and I wonder what I was on to write them, wouldn’t trade it for the world though.

What was your last completed project?

Is the writing project ever truly completed? That’s a question I’ve been asking myself since I published “By The Light of A Darkened Forest” January 11th 2016. Every time I turn around I find myself wanting to tweak this part or add more to it. Guess you never really let go of a story even when it’s out there. I just have to remember that I’m not through with Evelyn yet.

What are you working on now?

I’m tossing between two projects. First is the sequel to “By The Light of A Darkened Forest” which I’ve named “The Legend of Engardona” which is in its second draft. It’s an exploration on why the Engardonians migrated to Doolkfae and each time I read it I’m mixed with emotions. The other project is in the first draft phase and is the third book in that series that I’ve named “Mutant Wars” for now and I’ll keep how it relates a secret. Don’t want to give everything away.

What is your writing “process” typically like?

Is a chaotic mess a process? If it is it’s what I do. It starts with a dream that I’ve written notes on, I flush out the main characters and even draw them, and then I get down to writing, doing the research as I go. Most of the time I don’t start with definite plotline, just stuff that needs to happen. I’ve discovered that writing is a very odd process of making something from nothing. If that isn’t a superpower then I don’t know what is.

How do you combat writer’s block?

Very painfully and sometimes without success. I was on hiatus for 6 months or more because every time I’d sit down to write I’d have no words and nothing to put down. It was torture. Normally though if I’m having a rough go of it I’ll turn to drawing or focus on a side project.

Where do your ideas come from?

The weird, fantastic dreams I have when I sleep. They are some of the most bizarre movies I’ve ever seen and I write down the most interesting ones I can remember when I wake up. If it wasn’t for those I don’t think I would have ever continued writing.

What’s your greatest challenge as a writer?

Sentence length and variation. More of the technical stuff since I didn’t have much training on how to write a story. Most of what I know I learned on my own and high school can only teach you so much about the fundamentals. When I went to college it was more about report writing which is all facts and keeping it short and to the point. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s my issue because I was good at it.

And what has been your greatest triumph (so far)?

Putting the words The End on “By The Light of A Darkened Forest”, my first finished story. It was the first time I had finished anything and I was so proud of it. I wouldn’t have finished it though if it wasn’t for my friend Sherry reading each chapter as I wrote it. Having someone to push you to get that next chapter out is great. So really it is a shared victory. The next was publishing this novel for the world can read it.